This course traces the development of military aviation, the designers and fliers who participated in that development and how that process led to the greatest clash of machines in the history of warfare. We follow the Luftwaffe, the RAF and the USAAF through their early years, learn how each enjoyed its “Finest Hour” and explore how innovation, bravery, folly and – ultimately – American industrial might decided the war. This course has extensive images, animated graphics and embedded video from historical sources, TV mini-series and Hollywood films.

Buck Beasom teaches courses for OLLI chapters across the country. He has a two-track career that includes four decades in data management and applications development while he also taught courses in business, accounting and economics. He also spent five years teaching history at the middle and high school levels. He holds a BS in Management Science, with additional majors in History and Economics and an MBA in Accounting.

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